How to handle money gifts from a shower

I’ve heard that you shouldn’t use gifts given at a shower until after the wedding, but how does this work with gifts of money? Our wedding is in October but our shower is in August. If we get checks from anyone, how should we handle that? Do we wait until after the wedding to deposit/cash them? Deposit them but wait to use the money? I’m so confused!

@veggie_rachel: I think the rule is meant for people who end up not going through with their wedding because you’re supposed to return the gifts. What I would do is deposit the checks/cash and keep a log of who gave how much and then use it to pay off vendors on the day-of. If for some reason you two break up between August and October, then you have a log and the cash saved up to refund it!

I would also deposit checks- I hate when I write a check to someone and they wait foorrevvvvver to cash it – it’s an unpleasant surprise in my bank account! I agree with PP and keep track of it, and save it for something future-related (like a down payment etc.). My plan for this is to save the $$ for a house and mention so in our thank you cards.

Wedding gifts are not to be used until after the wedding. Shower gifts are gifts for the bride, and can be used immediately. You should cash any cheques promptly as a courtesy to your guests (as PP mentioned, waiting can increase the chance that the cheque won’t clear or inconvenience the giver)